On Thursday, for the first time, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has introduced a local weather forecasting system for the Sabarimala pilgrimage, similar to the systems used for the Amarnath and Char Dham yatras.
IMD officials announced on Thursday that they have installed three rain gauges at key locations: Sannidhanam, Pamba, and Nilakkal. These gauges will help provide three-day weather forecasts.
In the near future, these will be upgraded to real-time weather updates, known as "nowcasts," according to IMD regional director Neetha K Gopal.
Recognising the difficulties caused by rising temperatures and high humidity during dry spells, the IMD also plans to install temperature gauges in the area.
The initiative was prompted by a request from the Pathanamthitta district administration, which sought real-time weather updates due to the area's vulnerability to extreme rainfall.
The need for this system became more apparent after recent landslides in Wayanad, highlighting the importance of caution in such sensitive regions.
Initially, the IMD considered setting up Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) in Sabarimala, but chose to install rain gauges instead to speed up the process. They are also considering plans for a permanent weather monitoring station in the future.
"This is the first time we are providing localized weather forecasts for Sabarimala, similar to what we offer for Amarnath and Char Dham yatras," Gopal said. She also mentioned that the project is a joint effort between the Pathanamthitta district administration and the IMD.
IMD staff have trained district personnel to collect data from the rain gauges, which is then validated at the IMD center. However, Gopal pointed out that providing forecasts for the entire district would require a larger network and more manpower.
Currently, the State Disaster Management Authority is responsible for sharing the weather updates with the public. Efforts are also underway to include these updates in the "Swamy AI Chat Bot" app, which was recently launched by the state government to assist Sabarimala pilgrims.
The app, available in six languages, provides pilgrims with useful information. Once integrated, the weather updates will be easily accessible to users.
Safety remains a priority, especially along the path from Pamba to Sannidhanam, which passes through streams and the Pamba River. The area suffered severe flooding during the 2018 deluge, which caused extensive damage to pilgrim facilities.
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